Play
A couple weeks back I unplugged my Xbox to plug my PS4 back in so that I could watch Spiderman Far From Home on Blu-ray. I haven't gotten around to plugging it back in.
I'm slowly playing through Secret of Mana and Trails in the Sky.
Want
I'm quite tempted to load up No Man's Sky again. Or maybe Zelda botw.
Bin
Tunic - I really thought this would have been my thing, but it just didn't click.
Sable - I'd been looking forward to this for ages, but the gameplay is just fetch quests and the world is nowhere near big enough for the grand vistas promised by mobius art.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 - time-hopping sequel that tries very hard to fix the things that people didn't like about the original FFXIII. It's much less linear than its predecessor (or indeed most RPGs that aren't called Chrono Trigger) and the battle system is snappier. I'm enjoying this a lot. Although I keep getting sidetracked by…
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Did I mention this game is ridiculously big? I spent two evenings completely clearing Canto Bight of collectibles and my overall percentage completion went up by less than 1%. It's absolutely perfect for when you've only got a small amount of time to play and you want the satisfaction of solving a couple of puzzles and watching a big number go up extremely slowly.
Yes, Your Grace - another Game Pass oddity that's oddly reminiscent of an old Amiga game with its chunky pixel graphics and multiple-choice gameplay. You play the ruler of a kingdom that's shortly going to come under attack and you have to make the right choices to try and survive. Simple stuff but quite diverting.
Want
I'm not sure there's much on the horizon that I'm too fussed about. As always a teetering backlog and the constant dripfeed of games on Game Pass is keeping me more than occupied.
Bin
I tried the first couple of hours of Paradise Killer but it's really not for me. It's just too self-consciously wacky and navigating the environment is a pain.
Bringing up teenagers is tough, isn't it? My son's only just turned 13 but he's bickering constantly with his mum and I seem to be forever caught in the middle. It's exhausting.
PLAY Weird West - This is fine. I finished the first scenario (Bounty Hunter) and had a fun time blasting people, but now I'm a Pigman and ammo seems much harder to come by, meaning the difficulty just spiked hard. I'll plug on, because I'm invested now, but the melee combat isn't anywhere near good enough to warrant this kind of gameplay. LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga - Need to go back to this, as we've been busy the last few weekends. I like it though. Zen Pinball 2 - I very nearly threw a bunch of money down the drain buying all the tables again for Pinball FX3 on Xbox, since my PS4 isn't set up any more… and then I remembered that all the tables I actually want to play are also in the Vita version of ZP2, with PS3/PS4 cross-ownership meaning I already have them. A quick redownload later and now I have all the pinball I want in portable form. I could have done that with the Switch version, but a lot of the good tables are missing (like the Marvel ones) so this is the best solution for zero cost.
WANT Rogue Legacy 2 - Not paying full price for it, because doing so is foolish in the world of endless discounts. But I'll get it eventually. Stanley Parable - Same as above for the new version of this.
BIN Pathway - Picked it up cheap in a Switch sale, an Indiana Jones style XCOM with pretty pixel style. Not for me, sadly, deleted.
Bringing up teenagers is tough, isn't it? My son's only just turned 13 but he's bickering constantly with his mum and I seem to be forever caught in the middle. It's exhausting.
Teenagers are hard work, but boys and girls for different reasons. My son has turned 14 and has become some kind of recluse who only answers questions with single words or sentences, has seemingly never done anything during any given week when I ask him how he's doing, and spends all weekend in his room in his dressing gown playing games. My ex doesn't seem to care about this and it breaks my heart when I speak to him on video call. Then again, my partner says her son was exactly the same so it's a fairly common theme.
My daughter's only 11 so is still interested in talking to me, even when she doesn't want anything. I'm sure that'll change soon enough.
Chrono Cross - A game that has refreshingly proven me wrong about it throwing out any cool lessons learned from Trigger yet still manages to do things its own way compared to that game too, especially regards to combat. Just beat Lynx and really enjoying it.
Granblue Fantasy - It's very appropiate that we're getting the FFXI crossover event soon because this game is straight up FFXI but in browser form. This might be a gacha and I might be just happy because I got so lucky with rolls recently, but this is a great game sometimes.
Endwalker - The new PvP is super snappy and fun League-lite mayhem, the new 24 man raid shits all over the Nier raids and has us fighting Spoiler - click to show the actual Gods mentioned throughout the past four expansions, Rhalgar and Nald'Thal, for all the Ul'Dah citizens in the house
Alos they just dropped the best song in the game, massive spoilers if you care so dont watch
They just released a super hard Ultimate raid that raiders have been doing for 14+ hours a day for the last 5 days straight. It looks too hard for me to ever attempt but it has been incredibly fun to watch. It's set in Heavensward's timeline and asks you the question, if you could go back in time to save HIM would you?
Some teenager style teaching strategies that may or may not (mostly the later) help, is to not give them overly open questions but focused ones!.
In case it helps or you haven't tried.
Which of your friends did you have lessons with today?
Did anything funny happen today? - or any type of variation on this that isn't learning based if they've been at school.
Did anything happen today that annoyed you? (rather than did you have fun etc)
What type of phone does that person there have? (etc - something that gives them the chance to talk about what they want to, replace phone with anything youth oriented)
So rather that give them the lead or a question they can shrug off, give them the opportunity to either vent or tell you about something they don't consider intrusive. The key is we want to know stuff about them but they don't want to share, but there are other parts of their personality that they can't help but want to either exhibt or develop by discussing things.
Also remember that on school days that teachers are mostly jackasses and we spend most of the day hounding the joy and life out of pupils, so the last thing you need is more questions that you need to think about!
Sunset Overdrive-This game rules! Always thought it looked too goofy. I honestly just wanted to know how a Insomniac game holds up not under Sony. It took around 2 hours until it all started making sense roaming the map. I just wanted to run on foot untill I got used to the grinding, jumping and wall running. Getting from A to B without touching the ground is super satisfying. It no wonder why they got put in charge of Spiderman. Something that I personally like is the overall punk rock theme throughout. Definitely to my taste. The star of the show so far has to be the insane weapons you get. Which isn't really surprising from the people behind Ratchet and clank tho. My only concern is some of the power ups need you to collect lots item's all around the map. This feels like it should be more of a extra for people who want to get all the achievements or something. Not for in game progression. We'll see how it plays out.
Outriders Worldslayer-Pretty sure I'm the only one who like Outriders. 😅 It just needed a bit more polish because the gameplay was fire. This new DLC comes with a new story and Skills trees. Could be interesting.
Nah, I've got to agree with the design they went for. It's like a combo meter you gain by doing all the gimmicks. Outside of combat there's no reason to run around town. Each to there own though.
It's a shame Sunset Overdrive never got a Series X, or even a One X, glow-up. Considering it was the only reason to own an Xbox for a good couple of years, you'd think Microsoft would treat it with more respect.
I mean that is over looking how fantastic Titan Fall was! Which was a console exclusive all throughout the "yeah well what games are you playing on your Kinnect?" era of fanboys wars.
But yes you could imagine that plays very well on the serieses (not sure that's a word…)
It's a shame Sunset Overdrive never got a Series X, or even a One X, glow-up. Considering it was the only reason to own an Xbox for a good couple of years, you'd think Microsoft would treat it with more respect.
Does it need it? The cartoon style looks good now regardless and it still works on the X… would just be work and cost for very little reward, since it's free on Game Pass.
100% agree with the FPS boost. As I was playing through the Tomb Raider games. I was shocked going from the first one playing at 60FPS to Rise of the Tomb Raider running at 30. It just feels like it's lagging or something. I think the FPS boost treatment is more appropriate with fast pace titles like Sunset Overdrive. I even went back to play Sonic Unleashed (yes the werehog one, don't shame me for it haha 😅) and enjoyed it. I don't think it being on game pass or old is an issue, there's already lots that's been FPS boosted.
That reminds me @Alastor, we still completing the Gears series. We was midway through Gears 2.
I think the FPS boost treatment is more appropriate with fast pace titles like Sunset Overdrive.
It looks better on everything, to be honest. Playing through Final Fantasy XIII-2 at the moment and it's got the full 60fps / 4K / Auto HDR treatment and it looks absolutely amazing. I'd never believe it was an Xbox 360 game running underneath all that.
I'm very much at the point now where I'll take any increase in frame rate over any increase in resolution. I struggle sometimes to even see the difference between 1080p and 4K at normal viewing distances, but a better frame rate is an unmistakeable improvement.
Been playing Minecraft Dungeons with the little one this evening, that was surprisingly fun even if she doesn't understand the idea of random loot. Kept having to reassure her that when we got to the end of the level I would send all my loot she wanted, to her, which has the added bonus of costing me 100 rupees or whatever they are!
How old is she? I've got a 3 year old. He can play games like paw patrol a bit and car games by pressing the two triggers, but not much after that. I've heard a few people say Minecraft is a good game for little ones, but even I don't know how to play it so maybe Minecraft Dungeons is better.
Ours is six, and he's just about at the stage where he can do stuff in Minecraft by himself – mostly struggles reading the UI and finding stuff in the inventory; we're just mucking around in the creative mode, so there's a lot of stuff in there – but he's very into platformers on the Switch. Especially the last couple of Kirby games (though he lacks confidence for boss fights) and Mario Odyssey.
Minecraft Dungeons is a lot better than you probably think it's going to be. It's a really solid little Diablo clone that's great fun in co-op. Doesn't play at all like regular Minecraft, it just uses its setting and graphical style. Probably too complex for a 3 year old but I reckon a 6 year old would have a good time.
I need to go back to it actually as they seem to have been adding to it constantly since release.
Play: Still Elden Ring. I'm at the last boss but also scooting about talking to characters and doing some exploration. It definitely has the same feel as the Souls games at this point - since DS2 there's always a point where I'm done with the game and try to brute force through to the end. I am at that bit, I've seen loads that I'm not really exploring but happily going back to earlier areas and steam rolling through them.
Also playing on PS5 now. Managed to get a console a couple of weeks ago. Didn't actually believe it would be fulfilled. It's… Grand, quite big but not as ugly as I'd thought. Loading times from base PS4 to this feels like the big thing. Elden Ring looks a good bit better but I'm still on the PS4 version because I'm at 120 hours or whatever.
Want: Returnal is probably the only PS5 exclusive I really want. Horizon isn't for me or at least not until I get through the rest of the first game. I've got PS+ again for Elden Ring so have access to the collection and all the stuff I've added over the years. The Uncharted upgrade for a tenner is tempting but, as with most things, I'm waiting until we're off Granny's dial up and back to a world where things take hours rather than days to download. I think the organisation of the library is, in some ways, the best its been but I almost won't ever need to buy anything ever again.
*Do you like Pikmin, but don't have access to Nintendo hardware?
*Can't wait until Tinykin is released in the Summer?
*Play 'The Wild At Heart'! Guaranteed to soothe your Pikminesque itch!
WANT:
A PS5.
The spare money to buy a PS5 whenever one becomes available.
Actual time to play the fucking thing, if I ever get lucky enough to stumble across one when I have adequate liquid funds.
To live in a world that is not an infinite source of existential angst.
BIN:
It's a very long list, but the parade of swivel-eyed idiots, charlatans and carpetbaggers which comprises our government is very near the top of it.
Play-Halo Infinite season 2. Been playing for a few hours, and the new "last spartan standing" is really fun. Think it's my favorite mode overall considering I play by my self anyways. It feels like a low player count BR mix with arena shooter. The new map that comes with it is really cool too.
Want: Returnal is probably the only PS5 exclusive I really want.
want-Returnal. Yeah, I'm the same. I got my wife Ratchet and clank Rift apart for Christmas, but I've not played my PS5 since Spiderman Miles. I was put off Returnal with reviews saying a run was 2-3 hours without being able to save and quit. That's just way too long for someone with kids, but they updated it now to fix that. So I'm looking forward to this game now. It's apart of the first lineups of games that's launching with that new PS plus deal in July. I think I'll try a month out and complete Returnal while I'm at it.
Bin Halo Infinite season 2 😅 It gets under my skin because the gameplay is amazing! The content isn't. Two maps for a six month season? It's not good enough. You got free to play monsters like Warzone, Fortnite and Apex doing 3x the content in half the time within 3 months. I keep hearing Certain Affinity have been working on a ambitious big BR mode for Halo with Season 3. I really hope this is ture because something isn't right at 343 at the moment.
*Do you like Pikmin, but don't have access to Nintendo hardware?
*Can't wait until Tinykin is released in the Summer?
*Play 'The Wild At Heart'! Guaranteed to soothe your Pikminesque itch!
Wild At Heart is lovely! And it's free on Game Pass still (I think) so definitely worth a go.
It is! It's very lovely! Pacing is just right and you find yourself exploring just for that little bit longer to see what else you can find / unlock / remove.
If you enjoyed Pikmin at all (and you have access to Game Pass if it's still there) this should be a no-brainer.
I've only recently started playing it and I play for about 90 minutes when I should be in bed, so I'm still finding out. It's definitely indie so the assumption would be that it's going to be a bit slight in terms of length / content, but I think that might be a bad assumption to make based on some of the signposting in the game. Like, I'm currently wandering around with 20 Twiglings, and I've seen things that will take 75 Twiglings (I think?) to shift.
So yeah. Too early to say, really. I'm in a similar situation to you (three year old daughter at home) so my game time is restricted for this and other reasons. If you're lucky enough to get more than this and will focus just on this then I still have the feeling that this can be ripped through.
Maybe Mart can chip in?
EDIT - Or I can Google this? Between 11-23 hours, depending on your focus on story only or sidequests as well.
It's longer than you'd think, for an indie game, but in a good way. There's completionist stuff in there too, but you can probably be done in 10-12 hours. I did all the achievements, and had a prolong break from playing it, so I think it took me several months.
Like, I'm currently wandering around with 20 Twiglings, and I've seen things that will take 75 Twiglings (I think?) to shift.
One of the later creature types (there are… five? Six?) has double strength at night, so you only need half as many…
I have beat the mission I got stuck in for Advance Wars DS something 15 years ago, I WILL beat this fucking game.
Also, checked the 'War Room' thing which is a mode of different scenarios and non canon missions with the intent to grind for skill points (I only have the first column of skills which are just like +5% indirect damage and etc) and wow, there is a LOT of content in this game. For a DS game this is super high value game, assuming you like this sort of thing ofc.
How old is she? I've got a 3 year old. He can play games like paw patrol a bit and car games by pressing the two triggers, but not much after that. I've heard a few people say Minecraft is a good game for little ones, but even I don't know how to play it so maybe Minecraft Dungeons is better.
She is 5, we actually have a games with kids thread and there are some good suggestions in there. Disney infinity and Minecraft are the games that have lead to this.
As said though MCDG is surprinsly good. She got upset the first time we both died and failed as isn't used to that from games, but now she has already realised that's just a mechanism of games.
Had a great time today playing Dungeons with the little one and my missus this morning. She is an extremely casual gamer and despite some initial difficulties figuring out who she was in amongst us and the enemies, had solved that after about 10-15mins and ended up really enjoying it. We only did one mission but she has asked to play again with us in the future so that feels like a win.
Really liking the game, already feel myself being sucked in by looking at the DLC, adventurer pass etc, luckily I didn't understand what any of that actually is though so not bought anything yet.
@"big mean bunny" that's awesome man. I used to play a lot of co op games with my wife before the two kids. Like all the Lego games (some of her favorite games) and Gears (my favorite games). She mostly plays story games now like telltale games and stuff. She playing through life is strange true colors at the moment.
play-Sonic Generations
Having a blast with this on the Xbox series with that sweet, sweet FPS boost. This was always one of the Sonic games I was never ashamed to like back in the old days of the 360 generation. The gimmick is excellent. Playing through past Sonic titles with the opposite classic and modern Sonic is a game changer. Chemical plant in a 3D environment is ace. I honestly can't wait to get to city escape with classic Sonic. Also helps that the music is a easy 10/10 so far. Some of the remix songs are bangers. I'll say the most disappointing thing so far is the rankings system. It's far too easy to get a S rank.
The original Sonic racing game (not the sequel) is another one to check out for the X boost. It's a great game anyway, but now it's faster and smoother, if a tad fuzzy.
Sonic Generations is so much better with the increased frame rate, it's actually a pretty good game (and I'm not really a Sonic fan in general). It's also got the full 4K/HDR treatment too. It looks ridiculously good for a 360 game.
Playing Final Fantasy XIII-2 at the moment and that looks equally good and generally runs tremendously well but it has a horrible bug in it where the frame rate randomly tanks to about 5fps for anything up to a couple of minutes. All you can do is wait for it to go back to normal. Apparently it's been like that for years (ever since it got the 4K upgrade on the One X) so it'll probably never be fixed. Only happens once a session or so on average but it definitely spoils the experience a bit.
The original Sonic racing game (not the sequel) is another one to check out for the X boost. It's a great game anyway, but now it's faster and smoother, if a tad fuzzy.
My man right here! I tell everyone about this (also the Sonic tennis game). The gameplay isn't on Mario kart level, but it's still fun. The interesting thing for this is how good the soundtrack is and stages too. It's pure love for Sage fans.
Fails the Mart 30-minute test by having one of the most uninspiring openings of any game I've seen lately. A really long and tedious mandatory combat tutorial that assumes you've NEVER played a game of any kind before and therefore need to press X at least three times to do a light attack followed by Y three times to do a heavy attack. Then a whole succession of empty nothing-screens to run through just to show off some nice backgrounds. Then the game itself turns out to be actually very dull. It's got genuinely lovely presentation (although the characters move about three times as fast as they should in combat, like some sort of Japanese Benny Hill) but I'll not be continuing with this one.
I just Googled it. It looks nice, kinda like a switch, but how dose it handled the two screens with DS games? Im looking for a handheld myself, but a lot of games I want to play are DS/3DS games.
I just Googled it. It looks nice, kinda like a switch, but how dose it handled the two screens with DS games? Im looking for a handheld myself, but a lot of games I want to play are DS/3DS games.
Probably just with you toggling between the two screens. I suspect that the best option for emulating DS is still a DS and an R4 card. I don't think that's an option for 3DS though.
I just Googled it. It looks nice, kinda like a switch, but how dose it handled the two screens with DS games? Im looking for a handheld myself, but a lot of games I want to play are DS/3DS games.
Like Brian said, some emulators (read: Drastic, which you have to buy but is cheap and worth it) let you swap screens, even Advance Wars which has battles that alternate between both screens is no issue. Obviously this won't work for games that use both as one big screen or at the same time like The World Ends With You or whatever.
I was craving a bit of 3DS the other day; I sold mine a few years ago. The 2DS XL is pretty sexy but it’s so expensive second hand!
I don't even think our staff shop sells them any more…
When the next Christmas sale rolls round, if you're still keen, I'll have a look. They usually have discontinued hardware for decent prices (Wii U for €30, etc).
